If you have decided that a Chihuahua puppy is in your immediate future, the next step will be to find the right puppy for you. There is a right way and a wrong way to purchase a Chihuahua puppy, and the right way will save you plenty of money and heartache in the long run. First, never run to a pet shop that has a sign saying, “Chihuahua puppies for sale”. Pet shops are basically brokers for irresponsible commercial breeders and puppy mills that are breeding dogs to make a quick buck. These dogs are rarely healthy and well socialized and will certainly not be the kind of pet that you want for your family.
There are also people who will advertise themselves as Chihuahua breeders, but some are irresponsible in their breeding practices, and others are con-artists, plain and simple. Fortunately, there are some guidelines that you can learn to help you recognize a con artist or poor breeder to protect yourself from paying money for a dog that will not be healthy.
Finding a breeder is the best way to purchase a Chihuahua puppy for sale, but not all who claim to be breeders really are. To find out for sure, check the registration papers for the mother of your puppy. If the person’s name is on the papers, then he is the legitimate owner of the dog. If not, you are dealing with a broker, which takes you back to the problems listed above.
If you can determine that you are indeed working with the actual breeder, there are then some other red flags to watch for. First, bad breeders will not have veterinarian records for their dogs, often because they are trying to cut corners by cutting back on vet visits. Next, a breeder that does not allow you to see the place where the puppies are being cared for may not be keeping his puppies in a clean environment. Puppies that live in their own waste can be very difficult dogs to housetrain. Finally, no Chihuahua breeder should allow you to take a puppy home until he is at least ten weeks of age, due to the frailty of these small pups.
Now that you know what a bad breeder looks like, it’s time to learn the characteristics of a good breeder with
Chihuahua puppies for sale. First, just because a breeder has puppies available, that doesn’t mean that he is going to sell them to the highest bidder. Good breeders are not just in it for the cash, they are primarily interested in the betterment of the breed and the best care for their dogs. A good breeder will have you sign a contract that states that if at any time you are no longer able to care for the dog, you will return it to the breeder.
Good breeders have nothing to hide in terms of where their dogs live, because the area is always clean and well maintained. His dogs are like a part of the family, and because of this, they are well socialized. By finding a good breeder, you are much more likely to find a healthy, attractive and friendly pet.
Selecting from an entire litter of
Chihuahua puppies is much easier when you are working with a reputable breeder that can walk you through the process. If you do your homework in regards to responsible breeding practices and
Chihuahua puppy care you will be ready for a long and happy relationship with your new puppy.